We were kept under fire with heavy machine guns so many of the houses were left in ruins. As soon as the first explosions started near my house, the clock stopped.

Thankfully we didn't have time to hide in the cellar, because it burned down! We saved our lives in the garden. The bombardment was intense - shells were falling here and there at one stretch. So we lay down together, the dog broke the chain and crept under us…

Without doubt, we were shocked, we are still shocked. Enduring so much stress, my wife can barely speaks. The house needs renovation, but there is no one to help with that. Our children were left on uncontrolled territory, we haven't seen each other for several years!